John Maletta on his Big Wheel during the Big Wheel Rally. / Register file photo

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| Compiled by Des Moines Register staff

Poke around two floors of art studios during the annual open house at Fitch Studios, where independent artists create paintings, photos, jewelry, woodblock prints, handblown glass and more. 5-9 p.m. Friday at Fitch Studios, 304 15th St. Free.

2. The Envy Corps

Friday

The local indie rock band will headline a show at Wooly’s in the East Village. The Envy Corps, which last played in Des Moines this summer, released its most recent album, “It Culls You,” in October 2011. Quiet Corral opens. Doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance at www.ticketfly.com, or $12 at the door. Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St. Go to www.woolysdm.com.

3. Big Wheel Rally

Saturday

Ride decorated Big Wheels, bikes and trikes at the 12th annual Big Wheel Rally, a bar crawl from Zimm’s to GT Lounge to Yacht Club to Carl’s Place. Holiday-themed costumes are highly encouraged. Each bar will have music (IRA Grace and the Bible Belt Prophets at Zimm’s, a DJ at GT’s, Brian Congdon at Yacht Club and Pie in the Sky at Carl’s Place). The event kicks off at 11 a.m. at Zimm’s, 3124 Ingersoll Ave. Proceeds benefit the Children’s Cancer Connection. Register and donate at http://www.childrenscancerconnection.org" target="_blank">www.childrenscancerconnection.org.

4. ‘The Nutcracker’

Friday through Sunday

See the Iowa Dance Theatre perform the Christmas classic at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, 221 Walnut St., featuring dancers from more than 25 different studios. Showtimes are 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15-$35. You can also see Ballet Des Moines performances of “The Nutcracker” at Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Ave., through Sunday. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday, 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $23-$69. Go to www.civiccenter.org and www.hoytsherman.org.

5. Jingle Bell Rock ‘N Run

Sunday

Don your most festive holiday attire for the 5K, hosted by the Science Center of Iowa, which will start and end at the Science Center, and will conclude with live music from Brother Trucker and a warm breakfast in SCI’s Food Chain Cafe. The run begins at 9 a.m. (held rain, snow or shine). Registration is $45 online, or at the event on race day. Additional breakfast tickets can be purchased for $10 each. Science Center of Iowa, 401 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. Go to www.sciowa.org.